Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Bill

Following up on the previous contribution, I would like to take just a brief call on the Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Bill. I hope that the council will reflect upon the sentiments that have been expressed in the House here tonight. Some have been expressed on the importance and beauty of the burial ground in terms of recounting our Pākehā history in this country. I think the contribution by the member from the Māori Party, Tariana Turia, also showed that there is a shared history on this particular site that we need to not forget. It is important that we remember that shared history. It is important in different ways to what we might call both partners of the Treaty.

We have up in Northland, in Ruapekapeka, a very, very important site historically and culturally. In fact, it can be connected historically with the trench warfare of World War I. It is where something happened in little old Northland that actually impacted back then. There have been times when I have been to the site and I have seen that it has not been well cared for. Part of the reason it has not been well cared for is that the local tangata whenua are concerned that the spirits of their tīpuna will be trampled over, so they want it somewhat left. But there has also been a neglect by the council in terms of doing what has occurred here. It came through so well in Tariana Turia’s speech that people were able to sit down, talk, put their different perspectives on a piece of land, and respect those different perspectives.

Very, very important messages are coming through this House on what we might call a very simple bill. I hope that those who have responsibility as a result of this bill for continued maintenance of the burial ground hear the voices from both sides in this particular case. Thank you, Mr Chair.

I take the opportunity to respond to my colleagues Mark Blumsky and the Hon Brian Donnelly and to say that the Porirua City Council—and it has a representative here sitting upstairs with the Pauatahanui Residents Association—is hugely committed to the Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Bill. The council has committed a lot of resources and time, together with the Pauatahanui Residents Association, to make this bill a reality. Early this afternoon, the Mayor of Porirua, Jenny Brash, called me to further endorse the council’s support for this good work. What is also heartening is that the council has a process whereby it is working in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira, as well as with the Pauatahanui Residents’ Association.

Part 2 agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2 agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment.

Report adopted.

Third Reading